A theatrical performance in Bengaluru's Banashankari locality ended in chaotic scenes on Saturday evening after an angry dispute broke out inside the auditorium. The Suchitra Cinema and Cultural Academy was hosting the staging of a play titled 'Gandhi Hathya Ka Sach: The Truth of Gandhi Murder' when demonstrators entered the venue to raise fierce objections against the script. The confrontation quickly degenerated into physical scuffles, culminating in protesters smearing black ink across the face of playwright and director Adanda C. Cariappa.
Objections Raised Against Dialogues and Historical Portrayal
The production was being presented at the academy by the Kodagu Rangabhoomi Trust. According to eyewitnesses, Congress workers alongside members of certain other organizations walked into the cultural center and disrupted the ongoing performance over specific dialogues. The demonstrators alleged that the play depicted Mahatma Gandhi in a derogatory light and attempted to portray him as anti-national.
Protesters specifically took issue with references in the production that labeled Gandhi a traitor. They further alleged that the staging was being utilized to propagate misleading assertions surrounding the partition of India, the Congress party, and Gandhi's historical legacy. The verbal confrontation rapidly escalated into pushing and shoving between the demonstrators and the production crew, during which Cariappa was targeted with black ink, bringing the performance to a halt.
Both Factions Approach Police With Cross-Complaints
Following the disruption, representatives from both sides arrived at the Banashankari police station to pursue official action against each other. The protesting activists submitted a complaint seeking punitive steps against Cariappa, the cast members, and the organizers behind the staging. They accused the production team of disseminating malicious propaganda regarding historical figures and spreading falsehoods about the freedom struggle.
In response, Cariappa filed a counter-complaint against the demonstrators. In his statement to law enforcement, the director alleged that the group unlawfully obstructed a scheduled artistic performance, physically assaulted him, and issued criminal threats to the cast and crew. Police confirmed receipt of complaints from both sides and initiated formal proceedings to examine the allegations.
Police Investigation Underway
Confirming the altercation, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South Division) Dr. K. Vamsi Krishna stated that the director was targeted with ink during the scuffle between the two groups. He noted that formal complaints have been received from both parties and emphasized that appropriate legal action will follow based on investigative findings. Investigating officers are reviewing security camera footage from the academy premises and recording statements from witnesses to establish the exact sequence of events.
Tensions surrounding artistic portrayals have previously triggered similar incidents of hostility. Earlier in Bhopal, Bajrang Dal activists had attacked the sets of the web series Ashram 3, pelting stones and vandalizing equipment while accusing filmmaker Prakash Jha of misrepresenting Hindus. During that episode, demonstrators had splashed black ink on Jha while damaging multiple production vehicles, including two transport buses.
